U.S. Politics · White House · 7 outlets (L 4 · C 2 · R 1)

Trump warns Democrats against impeaching Hegseth if they win House

President Trump warned congressional Democrats against impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if they win control of the House in next week's midterm elections, calling the idea terrible.^{⁠[5, 7]} "I think it's terrible. All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody," Trump told reporters Thursday morning before leaving for a South Carolina rally.^{⁠[5, 7]} This summer, Hegseth asked a Republican lawmaker about the odds Congress would pass the administration's record $1.5 trillion defense budget request.^{⁠[2, 6]}

The lawmaker responded that the chances were about the same as Hegseth getting confirmed again by the Senate, and told Hegseth he needed to increase the amount and quality of communication with Congress, according to the lawmaker's later account to The Washington Post.^{⁠[4, 6]} Raw Story reported that an impeachment vote looms, and TPM reported a Republican is already planning to pursue impeachment after the midterms.^{⁠[2, 3]}

Why it matters Hegseth's strained relationship with Congress threatens the administration's $1.5 trillion defense budget request.^{⁠[1, 6]}

Covered by AlterNet, The Hill, Washington Examiner and 4 more

Read first Trump blasts Democrats over Hegseth impeachment chatter · The Hill